melodiesoflife | Event || In Your Worst Memory

Event || In Your Worst Memory

Characters: All Heroes of Light. Only those who signed-up can start a memory.
Where: Interdimensional Rift
When: May 27th - May 30th
Summary: The Heroes of Light relive some of their worst memories, with a twist. All characters participating in this will be physically missing from Crystallis for the duration of the event.
Warning: It depends on the memory.

Where you were or what you were doing— It does not really matter. Not any more. Everything around you freezes, nearly as if time itself stopped, as if the world was frozen in time. And before you have a chance to understand what is happening, you can hear a voice right behind you.

"Kali Shashidhwaja."

Should you turn around, you may see a child who seems to be the only one aside from you unaffected by what is happening. And as she stares right at you, it makes no doubt these strange words are aimed at you. But before you can reply to her, the world around you collapses. Reality twists and shatters... Or maybe you are the one who is collapsing and shattering away from reality as you know it. No matter what the answer is, it will only take a few seconds for you to find yourself sinking into a void, Crystallis vanishing into the distance. There is nothing but darkness as far as the eye can see.

And once again you feel different: all the powers from your Jobs are fading. Not only that, but you might find that your Crystal is gone and your clothes back to what they were before you woke up in Crystallis. It is silent, cold and before long it feels as though life itself is slipping out of you... And yet, slowly the world reforms around you. The darkness fades away and a new world appears, yet at the same time this is not a world.

This is a memory. The question is, is it yours or that of someone else?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[OOC] I'll be posting this memory in three separate parts by location (Royal Sanctuary, Barona Catacombs, and "!!" which is where the Boss Battle takes place and the real tragedy occurs).

Feel free to reply to any/all parts, jump into threads, and talk/plot/thread amongst yourselves as well. If you have any questions, your character will be able to ask adult!Asbel ICly or you may ask them OOCly in the plotting thread. If your character would like to try interacting with the environment, I can also reply with narrative if you wish. Whatever works best for you!

Edited 2015-05-28 01:55 (UTC)

You wake up in a stone sanctuary, dimly lit by moonlight. A blue patterned rug runs the length of the narrow aisle. Ceiling-high columns and walls are decorated with elaborately feathered stonework wings and a keen eye may notice the occasional iconography of a gently arching winged monolith. At the front of the sanctuary, flanking even more carvings, are two stone tablets. The one on the right is part of a fountain with Water of Absolution cascading down and misting its face. The stone on the left, however, is suspiciously dry and will yield if pushed, opening upon a secret passageway that runs under the ground.

******

"This must be the entrance to the secret passage! Well, we've come this far. Might as well go inside." The voice belongs to a boy.

"N-No! It's dark in there, and probably dangerous!" a girl protests.

"Plus, what if Richard comes while we're in there?" another boy pipes in reasonably.

At the front of the sanctuary, four children stand in a loose group. A blue-haired boy and a little girl with a pink braid hang back, but their companion, a scruffy-haired youth, is already eagerly peering through a stone doorway. Sophie stands off to one side, watching curiously.

"Richard has to use the passageway to get here, right? We'll just meet him on the way!" the boy explains dismissively, barely casting them a backwards glance. He's too focused on the adventure ahead of them, and his next thought escapes in a mischeivous chuckle. He grins broadly, raising a fist high in the air. "Oooh! Maybe we can find him and scare him! Hahaha! Come on, let's go!"

The two other children exchange worried glances, but Asbel has already ducked inside, Sophie trailing silently after him.

"This is..." Asbel's gaze slowly swept the sanctuary, and he found he had to blink a few times before he dared believe what he saw playing out in front of him. He knew this place, of course. He'd visited many times back home and even more besides in his dreams. Somehow this didn't seem like one of his usual nightmares, though. And the girl from before - he hadn't imagined her, right? - who was she? Was this, just maybe, another...world?

He knew the conversation by heart, too, and it was with a subdued dread that he watched the boy - his younger self - bound excitedly into the passageway. How had he ever believed it'd be a good idea? Or safe? He'd wondered dozens of times what would have happened if things had been different.

If things had been different...
Could they be?

Reaching out, Asbel pressed his palm against the sanctuary wall. He found the stonework surprisingly cool to the touch, like an anchor, as he tried to quiet the pounding of his chest and the slow twisting in his gut.

"I can't let them go in there," he realized, his voice a fierce whisper, slowly mounting. "I have to stop them."

Edited 2015-05-30 04:07 (UTC)

"Why? What's in there?"

His tone is more curious than concerned at this point. Bartz isn't wasting time wondering what this is or how he got here. But exploring weird ruins sure sounds fun to him.

"Should we follow them?"

Because that's the best way to satisfy his own curiosity and protect the kids.

Sophie didn't know what was happening, but one thing was for certain - she had to stay close to Asbel. But the events they were seeing seemed to familiar to her... the throbbing in her head only confirmed that, her gaze locked on the children - in particular, her other self. Seven years had passed for Asbel, but she hadn't aged at all. Why?

"Asbel...?" She turned to glance towards her not-dad anxiously, though he seemed rather preoccupied with what was happening. She glanced at the other person, Bartz - she supposed he wound up here in the same way that they all did. She was inclined to agree with Bartz - they -should- follow the others, but not to explore the ruins necessarily. There was... something -bad- in the ruins, she could tell. Rather, she felt that there were answers there - and she needed to protect her friend.. and the stranger too. She nodded silently. "We should follow them." Asbel wanted to, after all.

Bartz glances back at Sophie and shrugs. She didn't really answer his question but if they both wanna go after the kids, it's probably something dangerous.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

They just watched the kids open up the secret passage so it isn't like it's hard to find. Bartz pushes it open and heads on in.

[OOC: Wasn't completely sure how this is supposed to work. Should I just hop down into the next thread? ^^; ]

[[OOC: If you want to? I'm pretty open to however you want to do it. I thought the sanctuary could be a good starting point/place for IC discussion/planning ahead (for those who actually plan ahead) location so I made a section for it. o/]]

Asbel's jaw clenched, but he managed to pry his attention away from the kids long enough to take in Sophie and Bartz standing near him.

Sophie standing near him... Asbel's fingers clenched against the wall, and his gaze fell away from her guiltily.

"This all happened before. Back when I was a boy. I don't know what's going on, but we have to get them out of the catacombs before they make it to the end. If we don't, something terrible's going to happen."

Edited 2015-06-01 01:46 (UTC)

[ ooc: I shall follow whatever the decision is! ^o^ ]

Sophie had a habit of not answering questions the way people want her to. Glancing between Bartz and Asbel, she turned her attention back to the scene. "... that place is dangerous." Something terrible WAS going to happen. To all of them if they weren't careful! "We should hurry."

The passageway, which at first seems man-made, soon leads into what looks to be a natural cavern. Stalactites hang from the ceiling, some meeting the damp ground to form earthen columns, and mushrooms and other fungi grow in abundance. Here and there one might find an abandoned chest, unlocked. There are also two large stone doors along the path. While young Asbel grunts and shoves and fails to get either of the stupid things to open (settling instead for a loud declaration of revenge), brute force from an adult may be all that's required to loosen them. There are a few places, too, where the path diverges and forks.

The cave is far from silent. Aside from the easy chatter coming from the group of children up ahead, the heavy air echoes with the shrieks of bats flying overhead and the scuffle and whisper of other living creatures - probably monsters.

They were like the Four Musketeers, those kids. Or at least she'd make that comparison if she knew the book. But Sophie and Asbel were the least frightened of the group. Asbel because he was reckless, and Sophie -- well she hadn't experienced that yet. Still the moment they set foot in the catacombs, she felt...restless, her gaze scanning her surroundings uneasily.

[ooc: pfft I put this under the wrong link]

[A]
Asbel marched ahead, leading his ragtag group of friends through the tunnels that would take them to Richard. He still couldn't figure out why he hadn't shown up, and it was bugging him a little, but not enough to stop him from checking everything out along the way.

Propping up the sword he'd "borrowed" from his dad, Asbel stood back, hands on his hips, as he eyed a large stone door. Now if he were trying to keep trespassers away from something cool, he'd definitely stick it behind a big old door like this!

Rubbing his hands together, Asbel walked up and gave the door a push, then a harder shove.

"Well crap! It won't open."

[B]
Later he'd take up the sword again, looking frustrated but far from defeated. Maybe tonight wasn't his night, but there were still plenty of other things to see and do! And maybe he'd be able to scare Richard, too.

"Hmm..." He hummed as he walked. How to go about it? He didn't want to freak him out too bad, but he deserved at least a little scare for making them worry so much.

Edited 2015-05-29 17:07 (UTC)

Terra wasn't prepared for the shift into the memory. She watched the children and felt a tug in her chest at the sight. She wanted to help them. She followed close hoping that they would be safe. Her magic was back though it would be dangerous if she lost control here.

She stepped up next to the group watching the young boy attempt to move through the door.

"What's in there?" She didn't know if any of them could hear her but it was worth a try. These events made her uneasy but she didn't have any control when it came to where she found herself.

"Hrrrggh!" the child Asbel grunted, putting all of his might into pushing on the door. Third time was the charm, right? Well, apparently the door'd never heard of that rule.

"That's. What I'd--like to know but it won't. Budge an inch, grah...!"

The boy's arms slackened, but he remained leaning against the door, panting from the effort - the door which was clearly winning this little wrestling match.

"If it wasn't something important, why would they put a door here in the first place?" Asbel glowered at it, preparing to give it one last go. "Besides, if I'm gonna become a knight, I can't let some door stand in my way!"

Edited 2015-06-01 02:03 (UTC)

Terra was a little surprised the boy responded to her. She watched him a moment longer before taking a step forward.

"I can blast the door open." Of course she'd insist that they all stand back. She hadn't used her powers since leaving Crystallis and while they are suppressed there that wasn't the case anymore.

"Uh, you can?" That definitely got his interest. Asbel turned from the door, sizing her up in the open way of a child. She didn't really look strong enough to blast it open, but then again, Sophie had broken down his bedroom door, not to mention outrun him, so maybe this woman was pretty tough, too.

Even if it was embarrassing to rely on someone else's help, his curiosity was winning out.

"Are we talking a biiig blast or a little one? Boy, I'd really like to see what's behind it, but if Richard was waiting just on the other side of the door it wouldn't be too good. What do you think?"

"I can make it small." Terra smiled fondly at the young children before placing her palm over the lock. She charged fire through her fingers causing the metal in the lock to expand and then melt. There was a loud popping sound and then the door swung free.

She looked back at the kids. "I hope that was alright?" She was surprised and proud that she had been able to control her magic. She didn't know how long that would last but at least she was able to help.

"Asbel, I don't think this is such a good idea. We c-could get in really big trouble if Dad finds out..."

If his brother was the adventurer in the family, then Hubert was the voice of reason. Asbel didn't seem to think so, but there were benefits to thinking things through. (Not to mention common sense!) Unfortunately, Hubert knew better than anyone that Asbel couldn't be talked out of something once his mind was made up. The only thing left to do now was to keep up and hope Asbel got bored before they got themselves lost.

Hubert shuffled after the others, arms tucked protectively in front of him, making him appear smaller than he was. He didn't like it here. It was scary, and there were probably dozens of monsters lurking nearby, just waiting to attack them. Hubert shivered.

Was this their very last adventure together?

Catacombs of all things... Of course, it was exactly the kind of place Jade and Peony would have loved to sneak into in their younger days. There were always children who thought danger was just another form of entertainment. Asbel hadn't struck him as the type, but it just went to show -- you could never tell.

Until he managed to find out what was going on and why he was witnessing what seemed to be a memory, Jade would follow the group of kids and fend off the monsters they ran into. It's not as though he had anything better to do.

"If it's any consolation, I think being grounded is the least of your worries right now."

CONTENT WARNINGS APPLY HERE: VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN, CHARACTER DEATH, EMOTIONAL TRAUMA.

The curbing cavernous pathway eventually opens upon a large chamber with a high ceiling. At the far end is what looks like the crumbling remains of a wall or stone dais, perhaps what was once part of the original castle. Rubble litters the ground around these ruins, and a short set of steps leads up to a long, narrow platform.

[FIGHT 1: MONARCH BAT x1, BAT x2]
"What is it, Sophie?" Asbel asks, turning to the purple-haired girl as she glances quickly around the room.

"This place is dangerous," she replies with a calm certainty. "It's not safe to be here."

The children stare around them, but nothing seems particularly dangerous at all. Maybe Sophie's being paranoid? That is, until Hubert tilts his head back, gaze drifting to the ceiling where a small flock of bats zip around overhead--

"Asbel, look!"

--and proceed to dive straight for them, webbed wings flapping and tearing. One bat in particular is impressively larger than the rest, and they mean business.

"Huh? What the heck?!" Asbel tries swatting the bats away with his bare hands, but to no avail. Hefting up his father's sword, he calls out to the others, yelling over the mounting screeches with a determined battlecry. "Everyone, let's do this! If we fight hard, we can take 'em!"

[PRELUDE TO CHILDHOOD'S END.]
Those with a keen eye for detail will notice that laid out quite still at the top of the crumbling steps is a blond-haired boy wearing fine clothing. He makes no sound and doesn't respond to touch or voices. Closer inspection may reveal that the boy isn't altogether well. His skin has taken on an odd pallor, and...

Sophie seems noticeably disturbed, her gaze more intently searching as she studies their surroundings, a frown on her face. "The air feels dense... whatever it is, it's getting closer. Asbel, it's not safe here, we need to leave right away."

"There's nothing to worry about! We already took out the monsters," he reassures her with a smile, arms spread wide.

"Asbel, look!" Hubert interrupts, pointing to the ruins at the back of the chamber. "There's somebody over there!"

The children all turn their heads. Asbel's mouth drops open in shock. "Hey, wait a minute... Isn't that...?"

"Asbel, don't go over there!" Sophie warns, but Asbel's already pushing past her and sprinting up the steps two at a time.

Kneeling down over the motionless figure, Asbel's stubby fingers grip the prince's shoulders as he gives him a shake, then another, shouting out his name. "Richard! Are you okay? Hey, Richard!"

Something moves. A shifting of shadow, a curling of black tendrils mixed with red.

"Oh dear... What do we do now?" Cheria frets, clasping her hands tight.

"Why did this have to happen to him?" Hubert cries, the worry plain in his trembling voice.

The darkness builds, a presence, danger. Something isn't right.

Sophie whips around, and then she sees. Her eyes open wide as she calls out a warning. "Cheria! Hubert! Look out!"

"Cheria, Hubert! Get out of there now!!" the second shout belongs to Asbel, the Hero, voice cracking with desperation as he shoves past any other Heroes who might be standing in his way.

The two children turn with a frightened gasp to face whatever's behind them, but already it's too late. It takes only an instant. Hubert flies into the cave wall overhead, back slamming into the rock face with a sickening thud before he falls like a weighted sack onto the floor far below. Cheria crashes into one of the crumbling stonework walls, then flops ragdoll limp over onto her side. Neither screams, neither does so much as twitch a pinky finger.

Edited 2015-05-29 16:21 (UTC)

The black and red tendrils swirl slowly like smoke about the towering creature. It has no lower half or legs, instead tapering into nothing like a nightmarish genie. Its long limbs and impressive spear-like claws more than make up for it, though. Oily black quills grow from the monster's body, arranged up and around one shoulder, revealing powerful muscle and sinew beneath. It has no visible maw, no nose or ears, but its eyes are two angry red slashes set in a mask of bone and tissue.

It seems as though it may attack again.

~~Tossing this in just because!~~

It was almost funny how in synch Sophie and the memory-Sophie were throughout this entire dream sequence. At least it would be if she hadn't lived the experience entirely. She hadn't remembered at the time, but as she watched the events play out, she realized how familiar it was. The throbbing pain in her head only grew worse the more she saw, until she saw Richard, unconscious and Asbel rushing over to his side.

Asbel, don't go over there! she watched herself warn the boy, to no avail. Sophie's attention locked onto something else - the shadows. They were moving. "Asbel..! Cheria.... Hubert...!" The sight of that thing - the enemy. She knew it. She knew him. She threw a glance towards the other her, and read the answer in her eyes. For what he just did to her friends she could never forgive him.

"Wh-Wh-What the heck is that thing?!" Asbel's eyes were round as saucers, his mouth hanging uselessly open as he tried to process what had just happened. His eyes darted from the monster to his friends and back again.

Richard... Hubert... Cheria... none of them were moving.

W-were they..? No, no they couldn't be, right? They'd just defeated those monsters they--they'd just been talking five seconds ago!!

What was he supposed to do? What could he do?
Why was he shaking so bad?

Asbel's fingers tightened on his father's sword and he grit his teeth to keep them from chattering, to remind himself he wasn't afraid. Knights didn't get scared. Knights protected people!

In the end it had all been useless. No matter what they'd tried, no matter what options came to mind, their efforts had been foiled by his own inherent stubbornness. And now here they were.

Asbel knew what would happen, and he knew he had to stop it at any cost. He couldn't let these events play out the same way again.

"Damn it...!" he muttered under his breath, adrenaline kicking in, heart beating out a hollow tempo on the insides of his ears.

What could he do? How could he change things?
He just needed to think!

"Sophie, stay back!! No matter what happens, you can't fight him!" He knew it was a long shot, especially considering this was Sophie, but it was the only way he could think of.

Asbel tossed a desperate look over his shoulder. "We need to get them out of here now! I'll take care of things--and Richard. The rest of you find someplace safe and wait for me there."

(Because that plan is guaranteed to fly.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Event || In Your Worst Memory

Asbel Lhant's Memory: Childhood's End

Location One: The Royal Sanctuary

Open; feel free to threadhop.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Location Two: Barona Catacombs

OTA

Open to All

[A]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

OTA

no subject

Location Three: Barona Catacombs; Final Chamber (!!!)

[Childhood's End] Enter "Cuddles", Your Boss Fight.

[Childhood's End] Enter "Cuddles", Your Boss Fight.

no subject

no subject